St George Dragons Community Report 2019

dragons.com.au 2019 Annual Report 02

About Player Involvement Whether it is by direct participation or through media such as educational Community resources, website, mass media or Dragons Community support and present social media, player involvement in programs around three community pillars community is paramount to the that reflect the needs within our local success of Dragons Community. community. We have tailored programs and Dragons’ players in particular formed partnerships with the NRL and key understand that they are in a unique local organisations in line with each of the position whereby they can promote pillars: Health & Wellbeing, Grassroots and and encourage, either directly or Social Inclusion indirectly, the physical, cultural and intellectual welfare of young people in Each pillar and program is continually our community. In 2019 the NRL monitored to ensure the best possible squad engaged in 250 appearances, we outcome for all involved. Dragons are very fortunate to also be supported Community is now an integral part of the by players from NSW Cup, Jersey communities it services. We have been Flegg, SG Ball and Tarsha Gale proactive in providing valuable programs and (Steelers and Dragons) volunteering for producing resources which many can over 1000 hours of engagements. benefit from. 2019 Annual Report 03

St George Illawarra 2019 ‘Back 2 Juniors’ visits saw all 35 clubs in Dragons catchment visited by Dragons Players and Ambassadors, with the biggest day being held in May with 25 Club visits conducted from Gerringong to Earlwood.

Dragons 2019 Junior League Journal: The St George Illawarra Dragons, with financial support from Illawarra JRL, South Coast Group 7 JRL, St George JRL, were able to offer all registered junior rugby league participants (6s – 12s), the opportunity to receive a complimentary Little Dragons Membership. (4989 members) an exclusive, complimentary

Little Dragons Boot Bag.

Korbin Sims, (both Gerringong Lions), (Corrimal Cougars), (), Jai Field (), Tristan Sailor (Wests Illawarra), Luciano Leilua (Hurstville United), Matt Dufty (Penshurst RSL) and (Renown United) were fortunate enough to return to their own junior clubs. 2019 Annual Report 04 Game Day Initiatives: A highlight for our young players is walking out with our Game Day Challenge: This initiative NRL Players as Junior League involved 615 local juniors (41 Ambassadors at our home games. under 10 teams) being provided the opportunity to play one of our home 2019 once again saw the Junior League games: Relay with 27 Clubs, 198 players taking WIN Stadium, Netstrata , part in a great spectacle at half Cricket Ground and Glen Willow time at our Round 15 and Round 20 Sporting Complex, Mudgee. This games. experience stays with these players for a lifetime.

League Stars is safe, inclusive and educational. The local NRL Development Officers have ensured every participant has equal opportunity to laugh and learn in a non-contact, organised and safe environment.

In a credit to the staff we have working in our St George Illawarra catchment they have led the way in participation number of the program in 2019 2019 Annual Report 05

‘The Best You Can Be’ Diary (Primary School) The Dragons school planner ‘The Best You Can Be’ is a 40 page resource with numerous focused and a tips for students to follow. Focus topics include: the importance of sleep, nutrition, respect, kindness, screen time, positivity and the importance of family meal time. Additionally, Dragons players also draw from their own lives to provide motivation for all children to be the best they can be in all aspects of life.

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Score Dragons The Illawarra/South Coast junior league and the Disability Trust partnered in 2014 to create a new all-inclusive program for participants with disabilities to be a part of the local Illawarra Junior Rugby League competition.

The program has continued to thrive via the success of the program in our region and wouldn’t be possible without the support from our Junior League Clubs playing host.

The Dragons have now helped to get the SCORE Program up and running in

Campbelltown (SCORE Tigers), Game On! (SCORE Raiders) and most recently in The Bevelsie Family Trust program has (SCORE Storm). been simply outstanding. Through the generosity of Bob and Narelle St Clair, Besides the highlight of playing in the local Dragons Community has been able to help league each week a major many needy associations, charities and achievement this year was the SCORE Dragons individuals. v SCORE Raiders game being played at the as the Round 25 Opportunities for disadvantaged, disabled Dragons v Tigers curtain raiser. and senior citizens include:

- An Open Air Corporate Box, which has been donated to selected charities - ‘Kids Big Day Out’ 200 Kids and Their Families supported - ‘High Tea at the Footy’ 120 senior citizens were our guests

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Dragons Community / NRL Development Team:

The Dragons work very closely with NRLD and have a very strong team which is highly regarded in our communities.

Ada m Bezzina Manager Dragons Community Dragons Community Officer Paul Everill Dragons Inclusion and Outreach Matt O’Brien Manager, NRL Development, Southern NSW Pamela Goodridge and Huw Ellis NRL Development Officers – St George Brooke Smith and Kyle Williams NRL Development Officers – Illawarra Tim Del Guzzo and Cheyanne Hatch NRL Development Officers – South Coast

Dragons Community Female Ambassadors We are very fortunate to have 5 female ambassadors: Shakiah Tungai, Sam Bremner, Emma McKeon (Swimming), Grace Stewart (Hockey) and Sally Fitzgibbons (Surfing)